Ray Boucher

The biggest challenge in the first semester is to balance that freedom and the fact they are in a new environment as well, said Ray Boucher, the director of student services.

"So there's that whole kind of new place, new people, making new friends - all of that takes a certain amount of time.So even good students sometimes struggle with that first term," Boucher said.

Ray Boucher (Director of Student Services)

Student services director Ray Boucher said students have shown an incredible resilience over the past couple of days by returning to the college.

Wednesday's service was designed to give the college's "extended family" an opportunity to heal as well, he said.

"They are having an opportunity tonight to see each other and to have a bit of healing in their minds and their hearts as well."

A formal memorial service may take place in the future, he said.

Student services director Ray Boucher said students have shown an incredible resilience over the past couple of days by returning to the college.

Wednesday's service was designed to give the college's "extended family" an opportunity to heal as well, he said.

"They are having an opportunity tonight to see each other and to have a bit of healing in their minds and their hearts as well."

A formal memorial service may take place in the future, he said.

Ray Boucher,Director of Student ServicesDawson College

Director: Ray Boucher

Student services director Ray Boucher said students have shown an incredible resilience over the past couple of days by returning to the college.

Wednesday's service was designed to give the college's "extended family" an opportunity to heal as well, he said.

"They are having an opportunity tonight to see each other and to have a bit of healing in their minds and their hearts as well."

A formal memorial service may take place in the future, he said.

Ray Boucher, Dawson's Director of Student Services, explained that normal emergency procedures had to be aborted during the September 13 shootings.

"Within minutes, every evacuation plan we had went out the window," he said.During emergencies, Dawson students are usually directed out of the building, but in this case that was impossible.

"Police said not to use the intercom because people would go into the corridors to listen to it," said Boucher."The police didn't want to risk anyone going into the corridors," he added.

Ray Boucher, Director, email: rboucher@dawsoncollege.qc.ca